Pune is still reeling from the shock of yet another rape, and women in the city are living in fear. While they’ve long been cautioned to avoid secluded areas, this latest rape occurred in a busy spot that is Swargate Bus Station, just 100 meters from the police station. The victim is being held accountable even though the incident happened in a busy place at a time that is typically seen as safe. Instead of addressing the true problem—the safety of women in the city—people are speculating about her clothes or why she was at the bus stop at five in the morning.

Women in Pune are now speaking up, voicing their concerns about the state of law and order, the mindset that encourages these kinds of crimes, and starting a much-needed discussion about whether Pune can really be referred to as a safe city for women.

It Will Haunt Me Every Time I Travel From Swargate

Speaking with the Free Press Journal, Sukirti Thakur, an IT professional, said, "This is a very sad and nerve-chilling incident. There have been so many times that I have taken a bus from the same spot, and now, this news has made a permanent space in my mind. Whenever I will travel from the Swargate bus stand, this will scare me and haunt me. I grew up in Lucknow and moved to Delhi for graduation. My parents were always concerned about my safety, and when they heard about my job in Pune, they were happy because of the city's reputation as a safe city."

However, she added that in recent times, things are changing. The city is experiencing more crimes, and crimes against women have increased considerably. "It is sad that people have no fear of the law, and women are not safe here anymore," she added.

The incident of rape took place a day after Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar had stated that the city police are successful in managing crime. The Swargate Bus Station rape isn’t an isolated case but is one among a series of crimes against women in the city. Due to this trend, Pune’s status as a safe city for women is coming under scrutiny.

'Women are not safe anywhere: not in their homes, not in public spaces, not at workplaces'

Swapnaja Limkar, of the Stree Mukti League Pune, speaking to Free Press Journal, said, "The incident at Swargate yesterday, where a young migrant working woman was raped inside a government bus, along with a plethora of such incidents in the recent past, clearly shows us that women are not safe anywhere: not in their homes, not in public spaces, not at workplaces or schools and colleges."

Limkar added, "This insecurity is a direct result of the bourgeois patriarchal mindset that treats women as commodities, secondary citizens, persons whose freedom must be controlled by society. It is also a result of the political backing that rapists are getting from fascist BJP-RSS governments. For example, rapists and sexual assaulters like Kuldip Singh Sengar and Brijbhushan Singh get protected, rapists of Bilkis Bano get garlanded, and rallies are held in support of Kathua rapists."

"That is why we not only demand strict and quick legal action against the culprits, but also demand the resignation of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis and strict action against responsible transport and police employees," she added.

Recently, another incident raised questions about women's safety in Pune. On Feb 21, at 7:30 pm, a female software engineer from a company in Kalyani Nagar booked a cab to travel. A cab came to pick her up on Sangamwadi Road. While driving, the young driver began masturbating while looking at the victim through the rearview mirror. The frightened young woman stopped the car on the highway and went straight to the police station.

'Why did she go to a bus stand at 5 AM, when it's so dark?'

Ashwini Khairnar, a member of the Stree Mukti League, Pune, expressed, "As a woman, I don't think this city or any city is safe for women. In fact, while campaigning in the city regarding the rising atrocities against women, not a single woman has said that she feels safe. What shocks me the most is the blame society puts on women, on her clothes, or her going out, and tries to put restrictions on women rather than the culprits. In the Swargate incident, for instance, people have commented saying, 'Why did she go to a bus stand at 5 AM, when it's so dark?' or in other incidents, 'Why was she wearing revealing clothes?'"

"Politicians protecting culprits/rapists in incidents like Kathua, Unnao, the wrestlers' issue, and even the judiciary making comments like - 'the victim should tie rakhi to the rapist' or 'the victim must marry the rapist' - are bigger reasons for worry. This mindset makes one feel more unsafe, as even speaking against a crime may bring blame or restrictions on yourself! This is a countrywide trend. It surely is concerning, and we cannot just sit home and do nothing about it," she added.

Neeta Pawar, a resident at Raviwar Peth, speaking to FPJ, said, "We belong to a middle-class family and usually opt to go from public transport. Recently, the fare prices of ST buses have been increased by the state government. On what basis have they increased the fare if they are not responsible for passengers' safety? In a report from the media, 6 drivers of MSRTC, Pune, have been suspended for drinking alcohol while driving. Who is responsible for such negligence? The heinous crime took place in the middle of the ST stand. It is very shameful. Authorities should resign as they are responsible for it. Security lapses play a key role in the crime."

Tanvi Salunke, a journalism student, said, "Despite having CCTV cameras and 23 private security guards, the incident took place. That shows no one was available to monitor the CCTV cameras. For the last few cases, there have been a lot of cases against women registered in Pune. Women's safety should be the first priority."